Method of assisting in the control of a prime mover of a vehicle, apparatus for assisting in the control of a prime mover of a vehicle, and a vehicle comprising such an apparatus

Abstract

Method and apparatus for assisting in the control of a prime mover of a vehicle. A target speed that must be reached by the vehicle at a target position on a current path of the vehicle is determined. At least one coasting profile is estimated for at least part of the vehicle path before the target position. The coasting profile(s) are estimated at least partly based on a geometry (such as elevation) of the vehicle path. Coasting profile(s) that meet at least one predetermined coasting requirement is determined. A coasting signal is output based on the determined coasting profile. Based on the coasting signal, the prime mover may be controlled to place the vehicle into a coasting mode based on the at least one determined coasting profile. Alternatively, based on the coasting signal, feedback is provided to a vehicle user to place the vehicle into a coasting mode, such that the vehicle if placed in the coasting mode by the user will coast in accordance with the at least one identified coasting profile.

1 . A method of assisting in the control of a prime mover of a vehicle, the method comprising:
 determining a target speed that must be reached by the vehicle at a target position on a current path of the vehicle;   estimating one or more coasting profiles for at least part of the vehicle path before the target position at least partly based on a geometry of the at least part of the vehicle path;   determining at least one of the one or more coasting profiles that meets at least one predetermined coasting requirement; and   outputting a coasting signal to either:
 control the prime mover to place the vehicle into a coasting mode based on the determined at least one coasting profile; or 
 provide feedback to a vehicle user to place the vehicle into a coasting mode, such that the vehicle if placed in the coasting mode by the user will coast in accordance with the determined at least one identified coasting profile; wherein: 
   the vehicle has a predetermined maximum deceleration rate, and wherein the estimated one or more coasting profiles includes at least one period of deceleration having a deceleration rate that is lower than the maximum deceleration rate.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one predetermined coasting requirement comprises one or more of:
 a minimum coasting mode duration;   a minimum coasting mode distance;   a minimum coasting mode speed; and   a maximum coasting mode speed.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the control of the prime mover comprises one or more of:
 placing a transmission associated with the prime mover into neutral;   disengaging a clutch associated with the prime mover;   turning off the prime mover; and   modulating one or more engine system actuators, including an exhaust gas recirculation valve, variable geometry turbocharger, intake throttle, and continuous variable valve timing, so as to reduce or minimise pumping losses.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle includes a regenerative power source, and the coasting mode includes regenerative braking. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle includes an electric machine, and wherein the coasting mode includes providing drive via the electric machine in order to increase a total coasting distance and/or a total coasting time. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle includes one or more braking mechanisms, and wherein the coasting mode includes providing braking via at least one of the braking mechanisms in order to increase a total coasting distance and/or a total coasting time. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle has at least a first speed range that is used in estimating the one or more coasting profiles, and a second speed range for when the vehicle is not in the coasting mode, wherein the first speed range is wider than the second speed range. 
     
     
         8 . A non-transitory computer readable medium containing computer readable code which when executed causes a vehicle to carry out the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 . A vehicle coasting system for assisting in the control of a prime mover of a vehicle, the vehicle coasting system comprising:
 means for determining a target speed that must be reached by the vehicle at a target position on a current path of the vehicle;   means for estimating one or more coasting profiles for at least part of the vehicle path before the target position at least partly based on a geometry of the at least part of the vehicle path;   means for determining at least one of the one or more coasting profiles that meets at least one predetermined coasting requirement; and   means for outputting a coasting signal for either:
 controlling the prime mover to place the vehicle into a coasting mode based on the determined at least one coasting profile; or 
 providing feedback to a vehicle user to place the vehicle into a coasting mode, such that the vehicle if placed in the coasting mode by the user will coast in accordance with the determined at least one coasting profile; wherein 
   the vehicle has a predetermined maximum deceleration rate, wherein each of the one or more estimated coasting profiles includes at least one period of deceleration that includes a deceleration rate that is lower than the maximum deceleration rate.   
     
     
         10 . The vehicle coasting system of  claim 9  wherein the means for estimating the one or more coasting profiles, comprises:
 an electronic processor having an electrical input for receiving signals indicative of a value of vehicle speed, a current location of the vehicle, map information, and geometry data relating to the map information; and 
 an electronic memory device electrically coupled to the electronic processor and having instructions stored therein, wherein 
 the electronic processor is configured to access the electronic memory device and execute the instructions stored therein such that the electronic processor is operable to predict the vehicle path based at least in part on the signals indicative of the current location of the vehicle and the vehicle speed, and, in dependence on the predicted vehicle path and the geometry of the path, estimate the coasting profile. 
 
     
     
         11 . The vehicle coasting system of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one or more predetermined coasting requirement comprises one or more of:
 a minimum coasting mode duration;   a minimum coasting mode distance;   a minimum coasting mode speed; and   a maximum coasting mode speed.   
     
     
         12 . The vehicle coasting system of  claim 9 , wherein the control of the prime mover comprises one or more of:
 placing a transmission associated with the prime mover into neutral;   disengaging a clutch associated with the prime mover;   turning off the prime mover; and   modulating one or more engine system actuators, including an exhaust gas recirculation valve, variable geometry turbocharger, intake throttle, and continuous variable valve timing, so as to reduce or minimise pumping losses.   
     
     
         13 . The vehicle coasting system of  claim 9 , wherein the vehicle includes a regenerative power source, and the coasting mode includes regenerative braking. 
     
     
         14 . The vehicle coasting system of  claim 9 , wherein the vehicle includes an electric machine, and wherein the coasting mode includes providing drive via the electric machine in order to increase a total coasting distance and/or a total coasting time. 
     
     
         15 . The vehicle coasting system of  claim 9 , wherein the vehicle includes one or more braking mechanisms, and wherein the coasting mode includes providing braking via at least one of the braking mechanisms in order to increase a total coasting distance and/or a total coasting time. 
     
     
         16 . The vehicle coasting system of  claim 9 , wherein the vehicle has at least a first speed range that is used in the estimating of the one or more coasting profiles, and a second speed range for when the vehicle is not in the coasting mode, wherein the first speed range is wider than the second speed range. 
     
     
         17 . A vehicle comprising the vehicle coasting system of  claim 9 .